Drive for moving picture cameras



Feb. 2, 1954 A.IH. HART 2,567,808

DRIVE FOR MOVING PICTURE: CAMERAS Filed Jan. a, 1951 Y Afro/MEV Patented Feb. 2, 1954 l .A 72,667,808 y 'ffnmvnronMoviNGlPIc'rrmEeAMERAs wrthunH.' Hart, San Francisco, Calif. i v-AppiicatiqirJaneary s, 19511; serial- No; '204,967

aclims. (class-fn) it fTfhe presentinventionielates-tocamerasgaand moref :particularly toswanvimprovement for *movie .areameras-:of 1 the :hand carried "portable type Y'such as now generallydrivemby arspringumotorfwhen sfiin'aoperation. 1

; electric imotor drive :ufommotion picture cameras ofrtheieightfand sixteenlmillimeter class invvv'hich 1": thenoperation fof the f electric :motor:r is asynchroventiilmfspoilage uponffthe `starting andstopping of Athe nlm advancing :mechanism `Another:fo'bjectfof thefinventiondsto' provide ar newi and novel interlock #between .theflniotor control circ'uitzand the shutter drivinglmechanism of .jthercameratoliinsure thatlthe shutter Will -assume. a; clos'ed #position r 'Whenfthe electric motor misiideene'rgized. l Y

" A'=.furtheriobjectfoftheinventionf isf-to provide "avide taf rxsubstantiallyfi uniform: operating speed if. lwhervfth nim--isundergoingexposure;andto-'this .:endfrzspring Yiwoperated movie `Ycameras#require a f-;.;spe`ed,;control;mechanismY Whichf-*will operate to disconnect itherspring =1motorfrom fthe Y driving @mechanismswhenthefspring has run downto a :point 'vvhere'it lcannoti maintain 'thedproper operating speed. Aidisadvantage `found in ,the spring eoperatedficameras is" f thatjf'the i amount `"of A'iilm rtvhich can-fbe-eiiposed=-upon any onegwinding of the spring is limited to a definite footage',- where` jAaswitii van* electric` motor l'drive of the'fcharacter vhere proposed it ispossible tojoperate'- the "camera am, af; Continuous zzmanner to 'exposeanyv` 'i desired #amount of footagef This[islimitedonly bythe iilmi accommodating'y capacityv4 'of'Y the camera,` r'whichin somej cases fmayfamount "to asi-much 'as -fiourahundred feet foi film. Wheni'the;L ycamera is operated with: ani--electricfmotoii'drive; asfhere :proposedfthere 7isl incrl -pro'lol'erxr` of-imaintaining; a r jccnstzajnt'speed "oieoperation; but' inx starting and object-fof ithe-"f invention {is' tofprovideA` Aan small-V :and compact finterlccking mechanism f a drive fof this-character i it is i'fdesirable" that some means be provided1 to *insure alclosure of theshutter duringthe periods `J whenthe electric motor is acceleratingl-iand/or f losing speedat the time whenV the picture :taking woperati'ons are-respectively initiated and fterminated. -1 It' is therefore a Afurther" objectV of the present inventiontoproVide a newiandnoveliin- -terlocking mechanism betweenV theielectriclmotor co'ntrol i circuit and" 'thecameraf shutter` thatvvill `@insure fan opening 'off-"thef shutter only when the elect-ricfmotor is i energized ^and operating at.` its -`normali speed. v

Other objects and advantagesvWill-befin part evident to thosevsk'illedin theart landan part f pointedfout hereinafter in the accompanying@ de- "fscription; takeny ini" connection with 'the accompanyingdrawing,` 'wherein there srshownby way v' -'of*i1lustration:and not ltoff--limitaticn a` preferred embodimentfoff thefinve'ntion.

Inthe2 drawing; TFigure lwis'a side-elevation with aportionof the case-:broken avvayiv to A showv4 the invention las appliedto a conventional sixteen'niillimetermovie camera,

Figure" 2'-is avfragmentaryffview Islriovving the #essential martev 7of f the invention- 4as* shown vin *Figure 1i, but-in anothenposition,

-ff 'Figure 3 `is a fragmentary sectionalviewshoW- Vling details 'of the=motor drive 'connection-,1 and 1 ffFigure 4 isai'diagrammatic view' illustrating the-"manner inl which" ther :motor controlf circuit 1`and*theshutter'1 `drivelis xapplied in the 'arrangement of Figure 1.

InfFigure 1fofl'the-=drawingthere is shown, by

" -wayfof illustration-7 a camera `rof the sixteen millimeter Amagazine f type fin `vvhiel'rtlfie camera Yfcase *lfhere designated generally by the` numeral I is "fdiv-i-ded longitudinally-v into two compar-tm'entsz by a vertical partition i i. -The nearone lofthese compartments, as-here iiiustrateclf,` accommodates the 'camera' ioperatingmechanism at one side 'of the partition 3H and' attheothersidey of this Apartition there` is adchamber for a magazine of "*'lm schf-as is now A'availablev With fifty' feet `of "`i"ilm. Alignedlrwiththe magazine chamber there Eis a-v light yaperture over which a lens mount VI2 is isecured. Immediately 'inside' thecamera- `case `"iiilandlin front of the magazinethereis a ro- -tating shutter thatoperates' in synchronism with 12;a'nd fat' thefrearlendfofrthe cameraeasethere is a second hinged member I4 with a sight opening which serves in conjunction with the view nder I3 to direct the camera upon the object to be photographed. At one side of the housing l and extending through its top there is an operating button l5 by which the operation of the camera is controlled.

As here shown the vertically extending partition lI serves as a support for an electric motor I6, and in conjunction with a, spaced plate I6 this partition I| also serves as a mounting for the various gears and other moving parts which go to make up the lm speed controlling and driving mechanism as well understood in the art. Mounted upon the outside of the plate Il there is a micro-switch I8 of conventional type having a spring contact I3 that is sensitive to the slightest or micro-movement of an operating member. In this showing the switch |8 is operated by a plunger that extends upwardly from a pivotally mounted lever 2| and into engagement with an operating spring of the micro-switch |8. The lever 2| is biased upwardly or in a clockwise direction by means of a tension spring 22, and is held in an operative position by a xed stop 23 that engages with a cam block 24 secured upon the lever 2 I. This cam block 24 in turn operates in conjunction with a dog or latch member 25 carried by a shaft 26, which, as will hereinafter appear, is in direct driving connection with the camera shutter. Extending downwardly from the operating button i5 and in operating engagement with the end of the pivotally mounted lever 2| there is a push rod 21. Y

With the above arrangement it will be seen, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, that when the 'button I5 is pressed down the push rod 2l will move the pivotally mounted lever 2| in a counter-clockwise direction so as to displace the blocking member 24 and thus release the dog 25 carried by the shaft 26. At the same time or substantially simultaneously, but preferably slightly prior to a release of the dog 25, in point of time, the micro-switch I8 will operate to connect the electric motor I6 to its source of electric power, which may be a portable storage battery. In order to establish a condition under which the electric motor I 6 may accelerate up to its normal speed by the time the camera shutter opens, there is a novel slipping clutch arrangement 28 that will permit the motor I 6 to operate at its normal speed even when the film driving mechanism is blocked by the blocking member 24, as above ndicated.

While the slipping clutch connection referred to above may take various forms, it is here illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing as a simple friction plate clutch of a type which has been found practical and effective for use in the manner here shown. By referring back to Figure 1 of the drawing it will be noted that the motor I6 has a driving pinion 29 which is mounted directly upon the motor shaft. This pinion may, however, be rotated at a reduced speed by a selfcontained speed reducing gearing such as is often provided as an integral part of small fractional horsepower electric motor assemblies. Under some conditions of operation it is conceivable that the motor I6 may also be provided with an electrical speed controlling system by which the operating speed of the electric motor I 6 and con sequently the speed of the pinion 23 may be varied. At the present time these cameras are generally provided with a mechanical, frame speed controlling mechanism by which the speed of the film exposures may be controlled to provide for the exposures at eight, sixteen or sixtyfour frames per second. The camera here illustrated is of this latter type, The pinion 29 is here shown as in mesh with a flat disc-like gear 3D that is held in frictional engagement with a friction clutch disc 3| which in turn engages with a friction surface formed upon the side of a beveled gear 32. The beveled gear 32 is rotatably mounted upon a stub Shaft 33 that eX- tends from a boss 34 carried by the housing of the motor I6. Interposed between the extending boss 34 of the motor housing there is a crimped spring washer 35 that is adapted to exert a uniform pressure upon the gear 30 and thus establish a friction driving contact between the gear 39, the friction disc 3| and the beveled gear 32. When assembled in this manner it will be seen that whenever the film advancing mechanism is blocked by the blocking member 24 and the dog or pawl 25 carried by the shaft 26 of the shutter driving mechanism the clutch thus formed will slip and the gear 30 will continue to rotate independently of the bevel gear 32.

As schematically illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing the beveled gear 32 is shown as in mesh with a cooperating beveled gear 36 that is carried by a shaft 3'! of the film advancing mechanism. The shaft 37 also carries an additional gear 38 that meshes with a gear 39. A gear 40 which operates through a gear 4| to rotate a shutter 42 is also secured upon the shaft 26. The shutter 42 is of the conical type and is disposed at an angle upon a shaft 43. Shutters of this type may have either one or two exposure apertures 44 positioned thereupon so as to register with a lilm framing aperture 45 immediately behind the lens mount I2 when the llm, here designated by the number 16, is stationary. Film 46 is adapted and arranged to be advanced in a step by step manner by a film engaging finger mechanism 41 that operates in a manner as is well understood in the art. The film advancing mechanism 41 is here shown as operated by a shaft 48 that carries a gear 4S which meshes with a similar gear 50 upon the shaft 26 which, as previously described, carries the shutter stopping dog 25. In this particular illustration the dog 25 is shown as engaged by a blocking arm 24 which is the equivalent of the blocking member 24 shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. This blocking member 24 is controlled in its movements by a lever arm 2| which would be the equivalent of the pivotally mounted lever 2| in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. The push rod 2l' as here shown operates directly upon the spring contact member I9 of the micro-switch I8. With this arrangement it will be seen that when the push rod 21' is moved to the left by pressure upon the'button I5 the micro-switch I8 will be operated into its closed position. At the same time the blocking arm 2d carried by the lever 2| will be rotated counterclockwise and out of blocking engagement with the dog 25 and thus permit the shutter #l2 to rotate.

During the interval between the actual energization of the motor i6 and the operation of the shutter 42 into a lm exposing position the slipping clutch arrangement, provided as shown in "1 Figure 3 of the drawing, will permit the motor to accelerate up to its normal speed, and conversely when the push rod 2l is moved to the right by release of pressure upon the button I5 theblocking member 24 of the lever 2| will be engaged by the dog 25 and thus stop the shutter 42 in its fposi'tibllirirl'ediatelyupon#anfopening iof .the motor control circuit. The motor will-Ethen `eoistlto f-fillistopflwhile the friction driving connection between .the ,motor andthe film vamaneingniech'a'nism absorbs this power. At the same time damage-tomi? undue strains upon the operating-.mechanism of the camera, due to this `-sudden irljblockingfofffithe shutter will'ffbenavoided.

'Inff order to simplify the present disclosure the meraeshere illustratedr isidescribed without reference-ato lany lmspeed'controlling governor khmechanism Such asv is` commonly provided: in

cameras of thespring,operatedtype, nor is there any reference made to any 'gear'changing mechanisn'i'iby which different ilmfframing speeds are rmilita-ined.'rvilhen.thesefdevicesvare provided-5in the camera it will be understood that the slipping clutch and the interlocked motor control switch and shutter blocking arrangement will continue to operate in the manner above described. Where a lm speed controlling governor is provided the motor I6 will be preferably operated at a speed slightly in excess of that required for the film, and under these conditions the slipping clutch arrangement will absorb any excess in the speed of the motor. In other words, when operating with a camera having a speed controlling governor the slipping clutch arrangement here disclosed will allow the motor to operate at its normal or rated speed while the differential in the speeds of the motor and the film is takenv care of by slipping of the clutch arrangement. At the same time when the motor controlling switch I8 is opened the shutter 42 will be instantly stopped in its closed position While the motor I6 may continue to turn until its armature has come to rest. In the past where cameras have been provided with electric motors the stopping and starting of the picture taking operations have been controlled simply by connecting and disconnecting the motor from its source of power. With this type of control it will be understood that the motor will require a slight period of time to come up to its normal operating speed and at the same time when the motor is disconnected from its circuit there Will be a period during which the motor will continue to rotate until its inertia has been completely dissipated. Therefore, with such a type of control and without the slipping clutch arrangement and shutter blocking device here disclosed, the film will be subject to over-exposure in varying degrees for several frames along the film at the points between successive shots. These over-exposed portions in the film are objectionable for projection purposes and must therefore be cut out when the lm is edited in order to obtain a continuous and uniformly exposed length of nlm. These editing operations, which are expensive and time-consuming, are completely avoided in accordance with this invention, as the camera shutter will be blocked in a closed position at all times when the nlm advancing mechanism is not operating at its normal speed.

While it is conceivable that a motor circuit controlling switch I8 of a different design may be used in the carrying out of the present invention, it has been found that by employing a micro-switch of the type here illustrated it is pos sible to obtain a quick and positive circuit closing and opening operation which can be closely related, in point of time, with the actual operation of the shutter blocking mechanism. To this end the movements of the lever 2| which carries the blocking member 24 and the operation of the l any'aover-running ofi the; electric ,rmotoriei 5' during .z'rthehgtime when theo-shutter is `blocked;against movement. With the operation of the switch I8 and the blocking of the shutter 42 timed in this manner the slipping clutch connection will be adjusted to permit a free operation of the electric motor up to its full normal speed when the film advancing mechanism is held against operation, and as a result damage to the lm advancing mechanism is avoided when the shutter is stopped and held in the manner here proposed.

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose the invention so that the same can be readily understood, described and illustrated specific devices and arrangements, I desire to have it understood that this invention is not limited to the specific means disclosed, but may be embodied in other ways that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and all such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an interlocking control for electric motor driven motion picture camera, the combination of a lm advancing and shutter driving mechanism, an electric motor for driving said film advancing and shutter driving mechanism, a stop motion mechanism for preventing the operation of said film advancing mechanism only when said shutter is in its closed position, a slipping clutch in the driving connection between said motor and said film advancing mechanism, and a manually depressible means for rendering said stop motion means inoperative, and means associated with said stop motion mechanism adapted and arranged to effect a closing of said motor controlling switch in point of time slightly prior to a release of said lm advancing mechanism by said stop motion mechanism and eiect an opening of said motor controlling switch when said stop motion mechanism is opera-tive, whereby said shutter will be stopped in its camera closing position and said iilm advancing and shutter driving mechanism will be operative only when in starting and stopping said motor has attained or retains its normal operating speed.

2. In an interlocking shutter control for a motor driven motion picture camera, the combination of a constant speed electric motor, a normally open quick-acting circuit controlling switch for said electric motor circuit, a stop motion dog associated with the film advancing and shutter driving' mechanism of the camera, a latch bar disposed to engage said stop motion deg and prevent operation of said lm advancing and shutter driving mechanism when said motor is energized, manual means for rendering said latch bar inoperative to prevent operation of said i'llm advancing and shutter driving mechanism, a mechanical connection between said latch bar and said circuit closing switch adapted and arranged to close said switch as said latch bar is being moved into its inoperative position with respect to said stop motion dog, the operation of said latch bar and the operating character of said quicl acting circuit closing switch being such that said electric motor will be energized in point of time slightly before a release of said stop motion dog by said latch bar and be cle-energized in point of time slightly following a stopping of the lm and shutter driving mechanism by said stop motion dog and latch bar, and a power absorbing connection between said electric motor and lm mechanism absorbing the energy of said electric motor during the initial and. final operating period of said manual means.

ARTHUR H. HART.

References Cited in the flle 01 this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,825,253 Victor Sept. 29, 1931 1,912,749 Wittel June 6, 1933 2,083,646 Fuller June 15, 1937 2,441,185 Brown et al May 11, 1948 2,492,979 Freer Jan. 3, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain Mar. 16, 1949 

